Braves make trade for Pederson

*Photo from On tap sports net*

   The Atlanta Braves are in a precarious spot. They have so far underachieved this season, and they just lost superstar OF Ronald Acuna Jr to a season ending torn ACL. So, they got a rental outfielder on the market. The Braves have acquired OF Joc Pederson from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for 1B Bryce Ball, according to The Atlantic. The deal has been confirmed by the Braves.

   Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said "There are still a lot of teams out there still in the hunt and still contending. If there’s things out there we can add, we’ll look to do it. I know we’ve had our challenges, but I think everyone in our division has. So this one made sense for us, and we jumped on it."

   Pederson spent the first half of the season on a one year deal with the Cubs, playing 73 games. In that time, he had a batting average of .230 with a .718 OPS, hitting 11 homers and driving in 39 runs in a Cubs uniform. In his 8 seasons, 7 of which were spent with the Dodgers, Pederson has a .230 average and a .797 OPS, hitting 141 homers and 342 RBI's in 821 games.

   In coming to Atlanta, Pederson provides the Braves with multiple things. He is not an above average defender, but is someone who can hold his own at all 3 outfield spots, something the Braves desperately need with Acuna out for the season. He also gives the Braves more pop as a lefty hitter, complimenting Freddie Freeman in the lineup nicely. 

   Anthopoulos said "He's a high-energy guy and a great clubhouse guy who comes in with a smile on his face every day. He’s someone who if he gets hot, he can carry you. He hasn’t really had that hot streak yet, but he’s certainly capable of doing that. He’s still young, and his raw power is as good as you’re going to find."

   Going back to Chicago is Ball, a first baseman who has spent his entire career in the minors, and is ranked as the 12th overall prospect in the Braves system, according to MLB pipeline. This season, at High-A Rome, Ball is hitting .207, with 6 homers and 30 RBI in 53 games.